APEX
– A male inmate attempting an escape last fall during physical therapy
found Correctional Officer Cynthia Thomas to be a fearless pursuer.
Thomas’ determination has earned her the honor of North Carolina
Correctional Officer of the year.

The N.C. Department of
Correction presented the award on May 9 at a ceremony in Apex.

Thomas and fellow Officer
Robert Buchanan had escorted the Mountain View Correctional Institution
inmate to a physical therapy services agency, where they were asked to
unshackle the inmate to allow for effective treatment. Unrestrained, the
inmate bolted for the exit, but he was held back by Thomas, who grabbed
and wrestled with the would-be escapee.

The struggle fell through
the exit door, whereupon Buchanan joined the fray, taking the inmate to
the ground. Thomas and Buchanan then completed securing the offender.

In addition to her act of
bravery, prison Superintendent David Mitchell lauded Thomas’s dedication
to corrections education and training and her role modeling for other
officers. Mitchell nominated Thomas for the award.

“Her acts of heroism
during this escape attempt display high character as a public servant for
the State of North Carolina,” Mitchell said.

A 1989 Mountain Heritage
High School graduate, Thomas has been a correctional office since 2003.

#
# #

Editors: A digital copy
of the photo is available in color and black-and-white